Carrick on Shannon Athletics Club receive ‘Little Athletics Pack’ Carrick on Shannon Athletics club recently were the recipients of a Little Athletics Coaching Pack valued at 1,000 euro. Club coaching officer Mary O’Donnell at a presentation ceremony last week complimented Athletics Ireland on their exciting coaching initiative launched in 2006, which supported clubs and coaches with a practical coaching award and child centred athletic equipment. ‘ Recently we had a large number of new coaches attend Leader Courses in Ballinamore and Carrick on Shannon, organized in partnership by the Carrick on Shannon Teachers Centre and Athletics Ireland, and the Little Athletics Bag of equipment will be of great assistance to our coaches as they introduce and develop little athletics in the club and community’ Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer for the North West, Mr. Eamon Harvey complimented Carrick on Shannon A.C. and Leitrim Co. Board,on improving and extending their club structure and indicated that the Athletic leader qualification focuses on introducing the fundamentals of athletic movement to children. The aim is to provide club coaches with the skills and tools to manage and lead an Athletics Program in their club. The course is focused on the delivery of practical information and lessons. The content focuses on organising athletics games and activities for young children. It is aimed at those who want to begin coaching and assisting in their local school or club. The content for the course includes

1 Group coaching skills and to make the coaching sessions fun 2 The use of Hurdles and obstacles, tumbling, running, jumping throwing and running 3 Games to provide fun in developing fitness 4 Developing an awareness of the growing child and the implications on fitness activities 5 Games to develop speed and reaction, using acceleration and change of direction 6 The ethics of coaching including topics such as winning vs involvement and recognising the importance of individual improvement 7 Practical sessions on running and agility, jumping and throwing. 8 Planning a session and a program.